Wildling

Jaxson’s POV

I sat on the bed thinking about everything that has happened. Ember just left to go hunting. I couldn’t stop thinking about her even if I tried. Part of me wants to go find her and keep her safe. But my injuries weren’t completely healed yet and something told me she would be really mad if I did.

Questions kept swirling around my head. Does she feel the bond? Why was she out here on her own? What happened to her? And why does she have a wolf for company? I glanced at Accalia as I thought that. She hadn’t budged when Ember left. It was almost as if she knew exactly what she was supposed to do. Instead, she stayed on the bed, lying beside me. She was a magnificent wolf that’s for sure. She looked strikingly similar to my own wolf, Ares. The biggest difference was the eyes. Hers were a striking blue while Ares’ are amber.

I groaned as I sat further up in bed. Sean must be worried sick. I don’t know how I will contact him. My cell was lost in the scuffle with the hunters, and I highly doubt Ember would have one. She wouldn’t even have a place to charge it if she did. She had no electricity or running water.

I will have to go to town once I heal. At least he knows I’m not dead. He would feel the bond break if I had. We were too far away to mind link. He had given me a new mission that I hadn’t even been able to even start properly. I was supposed to go check on this pack, the Shadow Pack. We have had troublesome reports of abuse and torture at the hands of their Alpha and apparently, he had a band of rouges working for him, keeping the pack from rising against him.

I had just gotten to town that was about an hour from pack lands when the hunters saw me. I’m not quite sure how they figured out what I was, which unnerved me. They must have gotten a tip from someone that I would be arriving. That is all I can think of. But who would betray their pack like that, especially their king?

The Bloodmoon pack was the Alpha King’s pack. Sean is one of the strongest in this area, so the council had announced him as the leader of all packs in this region. As his beta, I was given tasks like helping the numerous packs under his reign and sorting out issues amongst them. Usually, the tasks as fairly simple, such as two packs at war over something stupid.

This new task was out of the ordinary. Not many Alpha’s would risk an uprising by torturing the pack members and I can think of no Alpha that would be willing to work with a pack of rouges. Rouges are aggressive, dangerous, and hold no alliance. These rogues are the ones who lost their soul. Now vicious and enraged.

Granted, there are some rogues that just had bad luck. Being banned from their pack for trivial reasons. We have a strict entrance policy to rogues that have not yet lost their mind. They are thoroughly tested and questioned before being granted safety in the pack. We have had a few unlucky rogues join our ranks. Their pack had gone to war and lost. Those that fled wound up in Sean’s territory.

I had made the drive to the area and had finally arrived in town. I figured I would grab a hotel for the night to collect myself before heading to the pack. I noticed quickly when three guys began to follow me. I led them towards the woods so I could shift if I needed to. They shot me before I could and then I was running for my life. In hindsight, maybe I should have taken Sean up on his offer to send me with a few pack warriors. But I declined him. I didn’t want the pack to immediately be on the offensive.

I had heard stories of the Shadow pack. How the original Alpha was defeated some years ago during a challenge and the pack switched hands. Prior to the incident, it seemed that the pack was relatively peaceful. I sighed as the thoughts weighed my mind down. I was anxious to contact Sean so that he would have a warning that Hunters were waiting for me when I got here. Accalia glanced at me as I started to move more. I was restless. I’m not one to normally sit around waiting.

“Want to help me up?” I glanced at Accalia who, in turn, glanced back and immediately, she got up off the bed. I swear she can understand what I’m saying. She waited patiently beside the bed as I swung my legs over the edge and placed my feet on the wood floor. I grabbed onto the scruff of her neck for balance as I stood. It was still painful, but manageable. My biggest issue was how weak the silver had made me.

Accalia was very patient and stayed by my side as I walked around, stretching my stiff muscles. Ember said the outhouse was outside and after being asleep so long I definitely needed to take a piss.

After finishing up, I found Accalia waiting outside the door for me. I wonder how Ember trained her. She is very intuitive. I was walking towards the house when I heard a whistle. Accalia pricked her ears and gazed towards the mountain then took off, trotting towards where the whistle came from. I followed her gaze and watched as my beautiful mate walk towards us. She had a small deer wrapped around her neck, over her shoulders. It was gutted and I could see remnants of blood dripping down Ember’s jacket, but she didn’t seem to care. Accalia ran up to her barking excitedly.

“Don’t worry girl you will get some.” I heard Ember’s sweet voice chuckle. She walked closer and swung the deer off her neck onto the ground where she proceeded to skin the hide and quarter up the meat.

“Can I help?” Ember glanced at me and she seemed to have a disapproving look in her eye.

“You’re supposed to be in bed healing. You will reopen your wounds if you aren’t careful.” She shook her head.

“I’ll be fine. I need to do something I’m going out of my mind. Ember, please?” I was almost pleading. God I’m getting soft. But I didn’t want her working so hard. I’m sure she was exhausted. Her eyes seemed to soften a bit as she stared at me, a hint of a smile on her lips. She shook her head at me again and rolled her eyes. It struck me how normal this conversation seemed. A caring partner worrying, another asking to help with the chores. We had slipped so seamlessly into a domestic conversation. Which again gave me pause. She just seems so comfortable with me, a perfect stranger. She has to feel the bond somehow.

“Fine. You can go start up the stove in the kitchen and grab some oil and a frying pan from the cabinets. I will finish and go store the rest of the meat and wash up. Then I’ll cook us some food.” I nodded and started heading inside to do as she asked.

By the time I had everything gathered and the oil heating in the pan, Ember came back with a few hunks of meat and some potatoes. She had taken her jacket off and seemed more refreshed. She must have cleaned up in the stream when she was cleaning the meat. I was searching her cabinets for a knife so I could help her cut everything. I heard her walking towards me and before I could turn around, I felt her small hand on my back. My whole body seemed to heat up at such a simple touch. I want more.

“Go sit. I will take care of everything.” She gave me a little push out of the kitchen. I grumble under my breath and go to sit on the kitchen chair so at least I can still watch her. She had placed everything on the counter when she turned and walked towards me. I watched as she took a large knife out of a leather compartment that had straps, that was sitting on the table. My eyes widened at the size of the knife.

“Fuck, what the hell do you use something that big for?!” A playful smile graces her lips as she turned back towards the kitchen.

“Hunting mostly. But I also use them on people who think it’s funny to come near my cabin.” She swiftly cut the venison and potatoes with an ease. How does she handle such a large knife so well? She grabbed some carrots that had been sitting in the sink and chopped those quickly as she added everything into the pan, seasoning it while it was cooking. The aroma was mouthwatering. I don’t think I’ve had fresh meat like this before unless you count when Ares hunts. But that is always raw.

“Wait, what do you mean you use the knife on people. You kill them?” I was honestly afraid of the answer.

“No. I scare them mostly. Or injure. I only kill if it’s my life or theirs.” She shrugged. My mouth dropped open a little that she just admitted that openly. But I guess it is self-defense if they are actually trying to harm her. I’m more surprised the police haven’t come knocking. I looked around as she finished cooking the meal.

“Why do you only have one chair?” Surely, she had company at some point.

She sighed a little before replying. “It’s only me and Accalia here. And she doesn’t exactly use chairs. So, I have only ever needed one. ” It doesn’t escape my notice how reserved she was on the topic.

“How long have you been here?” I was desperate to know more about my mate. This whole situation has been very odd. She seems comfortable with me here. She isn’t hesitant and seems at ease for the most part. This is not how I thought meeting my mate would go.

“5 years.” She started plating the food.

“5 years?! And you have been alone all that time?” She handed me a plate.

“Yes. Now eat.” She seemed a little agitated, so I sensed that the conversation was closed. She went to sit by the couch after giving me my meal. I watched her for a minute before I got up and walked towards her. I watched her stiffen slightly and evert her gaze. I sat on the couch beside her, accidently (on purpose) brushing her knee with mine. Her cheeks flushed on contact.

Maybe she did feel the bond.

We ate in silence. Both of us stealing glances at each other when we thought the other wasn’t looking. A few times our gaze would meet, and she was quick to look away.

“This is delicious. Thank you.” She nodded in acceptance.

I watched her most of the day. She was extremely hard working. I don’t think I ever saw her stop and relax. She had tended the garden that she said was behind the cabin. She finished storing the food. She fed Accalia who was incredibly happy for some raw meat. I had wanted to help her more, but she refused and made me go back to the bed. The sun had completely set by the time she came back in for good.

“I need to check your wounds.” I nodded to her and watched her collect supplies. She sat beside me. I fought to withhold the shudder I felt when her hands started feeling around my leg wounds.

Her touch seemed to make my pain evaporate. I could see goosebumps appearing on my skin. I have always heard people talk of what it was like to find your mate. This feeling wasn’t something I would get used to and I hoped I never would. I was afraid she could hear how fast and loud my heart was beating.

She was so close. If I leaned just a little bit forward, I could bury myself into her neck.

After she deemed my leg wounds acceptable, she turned around to face my chest where the bullet wound was. She leaned closer as she examined it, her hands caressing my chest.

I couldn’t help myself. I raised my right hand to cup the back of her neck. She froze and glanced up at me. I could see the hesitation in her eyes. She was probably confused over the feelings the mate bond was making her feel. My thumb stroked her jaw. I smiled a little at the shiver that went through her.

“You are so beautiful.” I whispered. I desperately wanted to kiss her. To feel how soft her lips were on mine. I held myself back. I saw a tinge of pink spread over her cheeks and down her neck.

She remined silent taking a deep, shuddering breath and pulled back avoiding my gaze.

“You should get some sleep. You are healing well but sleeping properly will help.” She glanced up at me and gave me a small smile. I returned it; glad she wasn’t running away.

“I will need to go into town soon. I need to call my Al... uh friend to let him know I’m ok. I lost my cell when those idiots were chasing me.” She nodded.

“It’s a two-hour walk. Are you sure you will be up for it? I don’t want you straining yourself even more.” The concern evident on her face. I gave her a smile.

“I’ll be fine. I’ll rest up a few more days before returning.” She glanced down, a frown playing at her lips. She looked sad. My heart clenched at the look on her face. “Maybe when I get back from town, I can stay here for a bit? To finish healing?” She seemed to brighten at this a bit.

“I can go with you when you go. I have a few things I need to get before the snow hits anyways.” She smiled softly.

“Sounds like a plan.”

Ember’s POV

I turned towards his chest to address his wound. I froze when his hand came up to cup the back of my neck. I willed myself to not sink into his embrace. His thump stroked my jaw causing an involuntary shudder to run through my body. We were so close. My heart fluttered wildly, and my breathing started to become heavy. I missed this intimacy you could have with someone. All I wanted to do was jump into his arms and never let go.

“You are so beautiful.” The emotion in his voice caused my throat to close a bit. What do I say to that? I’m the farthest thing from beautiful you could get. My skin is marred from my past. My innocence destroyed. My wolf gone. Who the hell would want me? I am nothing.

I barely even want myself.

Dimitri made sure of that and had beaten the notion into me. I wasn’t worthy of anyone’s love. Especially Jaxson’s. I forced myself to pull back from him and stood. Our conversation a blur to the turmoil in my head until he said something that had my attention.

“I will need to go into town soon. I need to call my Al... uh friend to let him know I’m ok. I lost my cell when those idiots were chasing me.” I decided to ignore that he almost said Alpha, as my heart plummeted. He had to leave.

Of course, he did.

He had a pack, an obligation to his Alpha. He would never want to stay with me. As soon as he made it to town, he would reject me and leave me more of a broken mess than I was when we met. I still can’t believe it’s only been one day. It feels like I have known him for life and now I can’t imagine life without him in it. The mate bond is a fierce adversary.

These emotions were ludicrous. I don’t even know him! But the bond was causing me all sorts of fuzzy, fluffy feelings I’m not accustomed to. Not to mention how attention deprived I seemed.

I couldn’t help the sadness creeping on my face. He must have noticed.

“Maybe when I get back from town, I can stay here for a bit? To finish healing?” My heart lifted a little. My brain and heart were currently at war. Part of me wants nothing more than to have him stay and keep him to myself. But my brain is constantly reminding me that at some point, even if we end up falling for each other, he will need to leave. He has a pack, and I don’t. And I would just be a danger to them all.

My heart won out in the end. Telling myself that I could afford a little comfort in another before living a life of loneliness. So, I told him I would accompany him to the store. I needed more laundry detergent and toiletries anyway. The plan was set. We would let Jaxson heal a little more then be off.

I only hope we don’t run into Travis.